Course Delivery

Supervisory sessions: 10 hours, as determined by supervisor and student

Lecture

2 x 2 hour seminars

Assessment

Assessment Type

Assessment length / details

Proportion

Semester Assessment

Dissertation (4000 words)

100%

Supplementary Assessment

Students may have the opportunity to re-submit the research report (capped mark 40%), as determined by the examination board.
If students fail the module overall, any failed component must be re-sat or determined as the Examination Board sees fit.

100%

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module, students should be able to.
1. Demonstrate an ability to design an original research study and formulate research hypotheses or questions, based on previous literature.

2. Critically assess the literature in the area and explore the implications of that literature for the study.

3. Demonstrate an awareness of ethical issues through the successful approval of the project proposal by the Department’s/Institute’s ethics committee, and in the conducting of the research, handling of data, and subsequent write-up and dissemination of results.

4. Identify, justify, and appropriately use and describe methods for data collection and analysis, and so that the study can be fully replicated.

5. Accurately and appropriately present the results, and critically evaluate the findings in relation to existing research.

6. Consider any limitations, implications and applications of research findings and how the study can be developed in future research.

7. Communicate the findings in a written report.

Document, maintain and be able to evidence an appropriate and rigorous record of the research process, from initial idea to write-up of the research.

Aims

Psychology is an empirical discipline and students are introduced to scientific methods and both quantitative and qualitative methods of investigation throughout all degree schemes. The importance of the final year project is reflected in the need for students to complete a supervised project as a core requirement for both the British Psychological Society and the QAA Benchmark for Psychology.

Brief description

Students are expected to undertake the work necessary to design, plan, and run a study based on suitable hypotheses or research questions with the help of a supervisor. The supervisor's role is to provide guidance to the student throughout the project, but students are encouraged to work as independently as possible. The amount of time spent on the project may vary according to the nature of the study, however students should expect to spend at least 200 hours working on their project. Students will be encouraged to identify a research topic from their appropriate joint honours subject and to demonstrate how psychology can be applied to that subject through the development and completion of their project.

Content

There are limited taught components to the module focusing on the following:

The supervisory process and research ethics

Writing up your dissertation

Module Skills

Skills Type

Skills details

Application of Number

Students will be expected to demonstrate their understanding of descriptive and inferential statistics in the analysis of data and presentation of relevant statistical outcomes.

Communication

Students will understand the importance of information and clear communication and how to exploit these. They will know how to use the many sources of information available and how to use the most appropriate form of communication to the best advantage. They will learn to be clear and direct in their aims and objectives. They will learn to consider only that which is relevant to the topic and to focus on the objectives of their argument or discussion. Students will be expected to submit their work in word-processed format and the presentation of work should reflect effective expression of ideas and good use of language skills in order to ensure clarity, coherence and effective communication.

Improving own Learning and Performance

The module aims to promote self-management as the project is the opportunity to demonstrate the students skills in managing their time within a specified number of weeks. Students will receive support from their supervisor but will be encouraged to work autonomously although it is anticipated that students will negotiate support from their peers and may work in teams for data collection.
Students will be expected to improve their own learning and performance during the research process and to exercise their own initiative, including searching for sources, compiling reference lists, and deciding (under guidance) the direction of their project. The need to give a poster presentation and to meet a project deadline will focus students' attention on the need to manage their time and opportunity resources well.

Information Technology

Students will be expected to submit their work in word-processed format. Also, students will be encouraged to search for sources of information on the web, as well as seeking sources through electronic information sources (such as Web of Science and Primo). Students will use a number of software packages during the course of the module including Excel, PowerPoint and SPSS for Windows. Students ability to use IT as a skill integral to the presentation of the project report will be assessed.

Personal Development and Career planning

The entire module has direct relevance to personal development and career planning as there are number of key and transferable skills integral to the process of producing a project. These include: project development; team working; time management; communication skills; numerical and literacy skills; presentation skills. Students will be encouraged to further develop their APPR profiles throughout the research process drawing on their experience of conducting the project.

Problem solving

Independent project work and problem solving will be one of the central goals of the module; the identification of a research topic with associated research hypotheses/questions will require the student to develop independent research skills as well as problem solving skills. The ability of students to solve problems will be developed and assessed by asking them to: adopt differing points of view; organize data and estimate an answer to the problem; consider case studies; reason logically; apply theoretical models; consider similar cases; look for patterns; divide issues into smaller problems. A final research report/thesis will ensure that an assessment of the student's ability to work alone can be undertaken.

Research skills

The submission of a project report/thesis will reflect the independent research skills of the student. The need to locate appropriate research resources and write up the results will also facilitate research skills. A final research project/thesis and poster will ensure that an assessment of the student's ability to work alone can be undertaken

Subject Specific Skills

The project is the culmination of student learning about psychology developed throughout the degree scheme. Students will be expected to demonstrate their understanding of key aspects and concepts of psychology. The subject specific skills will be developed throughout the module include:
* Assessment of scientific methods in psychology.
* Differentiation between quantitative and qualitative methods of inquiry and their appropriate use.
* Demonstration of a familiarity with the techniques required for literature searches.
* Appreciation of the nature of ethical research in the social sciences.
* Conceptual understanding of the applied aspects of psychology.

Team work

Supervisors may choose to work with their students in grups, as appropiate, where students will be equired to produce the necessary work and contribute to group discussions.